Sexual health, and especially women’s sexual health, is often overlooked or discussed as a tangent in today’s medical system — unless, of course, you go out of your way to have these conversations with your licensed healthcare provider. Sexual health, though, does not have to be elusive, and is something you can work on any day of the week. Not sure where to start? Check out our health tips below to learn more about how you can improve your sexual health! 

 

Practice self-love

According to the Brain and Behavior Research Center, self-love is defined as “a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth.” When it comes to sexual health, having a positive relationship with our bodies can create a better experience in the bedroom, both alone and with a partner. 

 

Practicing self-love could include daily positive affirmations, eating a balanced diet (and yes, that includes indulging in your favorite sweets and snacks every now and then), and making time to do the activities and see the people that bring you joy. When we do things that make us feel good, we foster a more positive relationship between our mind and body, which can make it easier to find our groove in the bedroom! 

 

Maintain open lines of communication before, during, and after being intimate

Communication is key to creating a safe and fun intimate experience. Taking the time to identify what you want and need from your partner, and letting them know what those wants and needs are, can ultimately create a more fulfilling sexual experience. Listening to your partner’s wants and needs is equally as important! 

 

Before engaging in intimacy, take the time to have an open conversation with your partner where you discuss your likes, dislikes, and boundaries. Then, during sexual experiences, continue to be vocal about what feels good and what doesn’t, while listening to the same sentiments from your partner as well. 

 

Know your boundaries and feel confident sticking with them

Boundaries exist in all parts of our lives, but understanding both your boundaries and your partner’s in the bedroom can lead to a more comfortable, fulfilling experience. Once you have established your own boundaries, you should feel confident maintaining them! Pressure to break boundaries can have a negative effect on our perception of intimacy. However, it’s important to keep in mind that boundaries change, and in order to continuously respect them, we must be frequently communicating with intimate partners. 

 

Understand that everything about your body, and their body, is normal

Growing up, many women experience the vilification of their bodies, from the physical changes they go through, to the noises they make, to the way they react in certain situations. Even as adults, women are often faced with idealistic rather than realistic body standards in the media, which can make it difficult to accept our bodies as they are. Intimate scenes from popular movies and shows tend to show moments of perfection rather than reality, which also contributes to the ways in which we view our bodies during intimacy. However, don’t let popular narratives and media portrayals get you down – all of the fluids, noises, and reactions our bodies produce are not only an entirely normal part of intimacy, but they’re expected! Communication between you and your partner can go a long way toward understanding each others’ bodies and the actions that make one another experience pleasure. 

Manage your daily stress levels

Many studies have shown a correlational relationship between stress levels and a fulfilling sex life, with higher daily stress levels associated with lower sexual satisfaction. Therefore, managing day-to-day stress can help better your sexual health. 

 

Meditation, exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet can all help combat stress, but many women could use some additional support when dealing with the stressors that accompany modern life. If that rings true for you, consider reaching for functional and plant-based wellness products, like CBD! If you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place — we have a team of dedicated wellness educators here to help you every step of the way along your wellness journey. You can book a call with us before you buy, or connect with us once you’ve placed an order and gotten started. Wherever you are in your health and wellness journey, we’re here to help!